Australian dictionary

One comical adjustment of any ex-pat or international visitor is adjusting to the slang and language differences. While it's lucky that I was assigned to a country that speaks English for my program, I've enjoyed observing and identifying language trends here.

Shortened words
More than anything, Australia loves shortening words. Breakfast is brekkie. Avocado is avo. Boyfriends are ‘the boyf.’ Uni is college (university). Journo is journalist, diggie is digital, the list goes on! In America this sometimes sounds like baby-ifying language, but here it's the norm and kind of fun.

Different "what's up" phrases 
Instead of the typical "what's up," "what are you thinking" and "how are you" phrases, the slang is as follows: 

• I reckon = I think
• Is keen for = in the mood
• Mate = friend / acquaintance, or used to call someone's attention (hey you!). It's often added to the end of things just because 
• How are you going = how are you / how is it going? 

Twists on words

Here's the list I've started so far, and I'm sure it will keep growing over the next week

AUSTRALIAN ENGLISH	AMERICAN ENGLISH
Torch	Flashlight
Lift	Elevator
Beetroots	Beets*
Chemist	Pharmacy
Pram	Stroller
Coriander	Cilantro
Capsicum	Red Pepper
Fairy Floss	Cotton Candy**
Maccas	McDonalds
Heaps	Tons / Very / A lot
Brekkie	Breakfast
Physio	Physical therapy***
Diggy (di-jee)	Digital
Mate	Friend
Flat/housemates	Roommates
Diary	Calendar
Chips	Fries
Rubbish	Garbage
Entrée	Appetizer
CBD (Central business District)	Downtown

*In the words of some coworkers here, "this may be the only one we don't shorten!" 

**Cotton candy also raised conversation about an Australian food law that requires sugars and foods to be shown per 100 grams on all packages to demonstrate percentages, which is an idea I love!

***PT here is personal training, hence why they won't use it for physical therapy